Senafich Recipe: How to Make Spicy Ethiopian Mustard Seed Sauce

Senafich is Amharc which directly translates to Mustard. However, the word Senafich is most commonly to refer to the spicy sauce made from Ethiopian mustard seeds.

Senafich sauce has a more watery consistency than the typical western style mustard sauce, which makes it great to use as a dipping sauce.

Equipment Recommendations for Making Senafich

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Senafich Recipe: How to Make Spicy Ethiopian Mustard Seed Sauce

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Senafich is Amharc which directly translates to Mustard. However, the word Senafich is most commonly to refer to the spicy sauce made from Ethiopian mustard seeds. Senafich sauce has a more watery consistency than the typical western style mustard sauce, which makes it great to use as a dipping sauce.

  • Author: Sara Bayou
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Condiments
  • Method: Mix/Blend
  • Cuisine: Ethiopian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.43 pounds (650g) of Senafich (Ethiopian mustard seeds)
  • 4 tbsp (60ml/56g) of cooking oil
  • 8.45 ounces (250ml) of water
  • 3.38 ounces (100ml) of Tej (optional)
  • Salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Get some Senafich seeds, wash them, and dry them.
  2. When the seeds are completely dry, grind and sieve them.
  3. Use a bowl to mix the ground mustard seeds with the cooking oil, warm water, Tej, and salt.
  4. Serve on a clean bowl, along with your meat or cooked vegetable dishes.

Notes

  • It is common practice in Ethiopia to add some Tej on Senafich­, but this is optional,. If you’re not interested in adding Tej, you can simply replace it with water.
  • You can use a clean spice bottle to place your ground mustard seeds for long term storage and use.
  • While it is possible to make Senafich from your favorite store-bought mustard, you have to make sure to avoid the bright-yellow mustards with smooth consistencies, as these will not have the mustard-seed flavor necessary need for a typical Ethiopian Senafich sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 30g
  • Calories: 60-70 kcal
  • Sugar: 1-2g
  • Sodium: 150-200mg
  • Fat: 4-5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3-4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 3-4g
  • Fiber: 1-2g
  • Protein: 1-2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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Sara Bayou

Sara Bayou

Sara is a cultural storyteller and food enthusiast with a passion for preserving Ethiopia’s heritage. With a background in anthropology and culinary arts, she curates Ethiopian Roots’ recipes, cultural deep-dives, and travel guides. Sara’s expertise is further showcased in her acclaimed cookbook, “Vegetarian Ethiopia: 60 Timeless Recipes of Authentic Ethiopian,” where she expertly guides readers through the vibrant flavors and nutritional wonders of Ethiopian vegetarian cuisine.

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